19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;
20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20

How effective would your communication become if you were to engage these three simple rules in every conversation you have?

You do not hear as well when your mouth is open. How much easier would it be to truly listen and genuinely understand if you were to close your mouth and open your ears and heart?

The rapid fire response is usually not a good response. It usually implies a failure to comply with the first rule. It suggests that, while you should have been listening, you were formulating your reply. What kind of impact do you think taking the trigger off of your tongue will have on your future communications?

Anger will turn any conversation into an argument. To approach a conversation in anger is foolish. Wrath is often triggered by defensiveness. Defensiveness usually stems from one or both parties breaking rules one or two. How many of your conversations become ugly because you become angry?